With 2024 approaching, it’s time to check some things off your annual to-do list. Fire safety and prevention are the most important things to focus on. If your business has fire suppression systems, the beginning of the year is the perfect time to ensure they’re in working order. Here’s a simple checklist to help you get started.
Check Fire Alarms
Fire and smoke alarms can help alert you to fires happening in other areas of your business, which is essential to getting you and anyone else out of the building in time. Check that these alarms are in working order.
Depending on what kind of alarms you have, you may need to replace batteries or call for professional assistance. Also, keep an eye out for corrosion, as that can impact whether the alarms perform in an emergency.
Check Fire Extinguishers
Fire extinguishers are fantastic tools for suppressing fires. But since they often sit unused, they can be forgotten about. That’s certainly not a bad thing since, ideally, you’ll never have to employ your fire extinguishers. But ensuring they work, should you eventually need them, is crucial.
Check around the hose for any tearing or clogs. If you have fire extinguishers kept outside, inspect them for corrosion. You can also have fire safety professionals check your extinguishers when they stop by for your evaluation.
Ensure Suppression Systems Are Where You Need Them
Certain areas of your building might need additional protections if they’re more prone to fires. A good example is installing additional kitchen fire systems if your business has a kitchen. This is especially important if it’s a full kitchen or restaurant where people often cook with fire.
Failsafe suppression options like fire extinguishers are a great way to bolster your defenses in these areas. Identify any other places that might have appliances that could cause a fire and consider ways you can either alleviate the risk or add more protective measures.
Call for Professional Inspections
The only way to know your suppression systems are genuinely ready is with professional maintenance. Fire safety professionals can check on your system and fix any problems they might find. They’ll also optimize its performance so there’s less chance of something going wrong when it needs to deploy.
Professionals will also help you with recommendations, letting you know if you’d benefit from additional systems or an upgrade. The new year is an excellent time to invest in more fire safety measures, especially if your system is lacking or outdated.
Have a Fire System Maintenance Plan
Now that you’ve had a professional fix and fine-tune your fire suppression systems, it’s up to you to ensure they stay in good condition. The best way to do this is by setting up a maintenance plan that makes sense for your systems.
Setting reminders to have someone come by at the beginning of the year or pre-scheduling your inspections are great options. If your business is at risk of fires more than the average building, you may want to set more reminders throughout the year, at least to do a self-inspection to check for any problems.
Developing a Checklist
These fire suppression system tips are just the beginning. Make a conscious effort to develop a fire safety plan for your building — one that includes everything from a comprehensive exit strategy, a plant for essential items that need to be kept safe, and establishing training programs to ensure everyone knows what to do in case of a fire.
This checklist is a fantastic start to a new year in which you feel fully protected from fire damage. Keep up with it to ensure another year goes by without an unfortunate accident. And when you need help, make sure to reach out to the team at Preventative Fire!